New imaging platform helps researchers understand how defects form during 3D printing.
Led by researchers from University College London (UCL) and the Research Complex at Harwell, in collaboration with Rolls-Royce, and scientists from Diamond, ESRF, RMIT University, Queen's University, Argonne National Laboratory, the team has developed BAMPR-II, a unique experimental platform that enables the Directed Energy Deposition (DED) additive manufacturing process to be observed in real time under industrially representative conditions. The platform combines Diamond’s high-energy synchrotron X-rays with infrared, optical and inline coherent imaging techniques, allowing researchers to study melt pool behaviour, material solidification and defect formation as components are built.
By revealing the hidden mechanisms that control build quality, BAMPR-II provides unprecedented insight into how cracks, pores and other defects form during metal additive manufacturing. The ability to directly observe these processes will help accelerate the development of more reliable and efficient manufacturing routes, reduce costly trial-and-error experimentation, and support the production of higher-quality components for industries such as aerospace, energy and advanced engineering.